Ziyara Spiritual Care is guided by a shared commitment to compassionate presence, grief support, comfort care, and honoring human dignity. Rooted in the Islamic tradition of caring for others, our leadership brings together spiritual care, education, and community engagement to accompany individuals and families through illness, dying, death, grief, and other experiences of vulnerability.
Dr. Kamal Abu-Shamsieh
Founder and Director
Dr. Kamal Abu-Shamsieh is Professor of Practical Theology at the Graduate Theological Union and founder of Ziyara Spiritual Care. His scholarship and professional work focus on Islamic chaplaincy, interreligious spiritual care, end-of-life care, and grief. Through education, research, and international partnerships, he advances compassionate, culturally responsive spiritual care that honors the dignity, beliefs, and experiences of individuals and families.
Safiyyah al-Sabri
Grief Support and Comfort Care
Safiyyah al-Sabri contributes to Ziyara’s commitment to accompanying individuals and families experiencing loss, grief, and life transitions. Her work emphasizes compassionate listening, emotional and spiritual support, and creating spaces where people can express sorrow, remember loved ones, and find meaning amid uncertainty. She supports an approach to care that honors each person’s unique experience of grief.
Carmen Gomez
Grief Support and Comfort Care
Carmen Gomez supports Ziyara’s mission of providing compassionate comfort and accompaniment to individuals and families facing serious illness, dying, death, and bereavement. Her approach emphasizes attentive presence, empathy, and respect for each person’s emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs. She is committed to helping create supportive environments in which individuals and families feel heard, valued, and accompanied during difficult times.